Bed for automobiles



/ J. WMP

BED FOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-sheet; 1

Filed Sept. 19, 1921 Wan/1111111117.;

BD FOR AUTOMOBILE S Filed sept. 19, `1921 2 shetssheen 2A I [IIIA IAAF.

g4) f@ f@ f4 Patented Feb. 5, i923.

JET WIM?, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BED FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed September 19, 1921. Serial No. 501,682.

To alle@ ,710m t may concern."

Be it known that I; .n'r ld'iiir, a citizen of the United States; and a resident 'of Chi cago7 in the county of Cook and State of Illinois have invented certain nevv and useful Improvements in Beds for automobiles, of which the following is a specification, reference being' had to the accompanying drawings.

rhis invention relates to improvements in beds adapted to'be carried by and set up for use in automobiles. lt the leading object of the invention to provide a construction 'which in its knock-down state may be' so compact and of such shape as to adapt it to be carried upon one of the ruiming boards of any ordinary make of automobile that is built to carry from live to seven passengers, and which bed structure can be readily set up for use Within the body of such automobile Without having to disturb or disarrange any of the parts of such machine other than to remove the cushions from the front and rear seats so that the supporting frame members of the bed that constitute the head and foot pieces thereof may rest solidly upon the tops of the box-like seat members that the said cushions ordinarily are placed upon; the said head and foot pieces being high enough so that the mattress-supporting' member of the bed Will, as it rests thereon, also extend across the top of the back of the front seat of the machine. Further objects of the invention are to provide strong' and novel means for holding said head and foot supporting members clamped rigidly to the said front and rear box-like seats, respectively; to provide a novel mattress-support adapted to rest at its end portions upon said head and foot members; to provide means extending transversely of said mattress-support and adjustably connected therewith at any point intermediate its ends so as to prevent undue sagging thereof under the Weight of the occupant or occupants of the bed; to provide means for holding in an upturned position the side edge portions of such mattress-support so that the mattress that is laid. thereon will not be permitted to shift laterally and which upturned portions Will also serve as rigid supports for the said means that are employed to prevent undue sagging; and to improve in various details of construction devices of this general character. I accom plish these objects by the construction and combinations of parts shown in the drawings, and hereinafter particularly described. That Which I believe to be new Will be set forth in the claims,

In the drawings,-

Fig. l is a side elevation of an automobile body with my improved bed set up therein; portions of said b'ody being broken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail, being a vertical section taken on theline 2 2 of Fig. l; and showing the means that are employed for holding one of the side portions of the mattress-supporting member in an upturned positionV and that also supports in place the cross-bar that extends laterally beneath such member;

Fig. 3 is a detail, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the means employed for clamping to one of the supporting members the mattress-supporting meinber;

Fig. 4l is a perspective vievwof the means employed in connection With each said supporting member for clamping it securely to one of the seats of an automobile;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the tivo slatted sections that together constitutie the mattress-supportf-such section being shown in folded-up condition;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. T is an enlarged detail, being a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig.v le; and

Fig. 8 is avperspective vieiv of the parts `shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the several iigures of the draivings;-A indicates a body of any ordi,- nary automobile of a make having the usual front and rear seats. Such seats are here indicated, respectively. loy a and ZJ, and as usual; each seat is of boXlike formation open entirely at the upper side except as it is provided With the usual marginal ledges, here indicated on the front seat by a] and and on the rear seat by b', which ledges are designed to receive and support the frames of the ordinary removable cushions (not shown). I refer to these ledges a and b inasmuch as I, make use of them, in a manner hereinafter explained, in connection with the securing of my improved b ed in position. The usual seat-backs are indicated by a2 and 5 2; respectively.

The improved bed comprises two similar supporting frames, each of which, in the construction shown, is formed of two legs and a cross bar 11. Each leg 10 is secured to the under face of its cross bar by a hinge 12, and, as best shown in Fig. 7, l prefer to form that leaf of the hinge that lies against the under face of the cross bar 11` with a a long slot 13 through which pass bolts 11i. By this construction it will be evident that by loosening the nuts on such bolts the two legs 10 of-each bar 11 can be adjusted closer to or farther from each other, and when adjusted to the desired distance apa-rt, the said nuts upon being tightened will hold such legs inthe positions set. rlhis adjustment of the legs is desirable to suit different widths of automobile bodies. is shown in. Fig. 6, each pair` of legs 10 is adapted to rest on the end ledges a of one of the box-like seats a. 15-15 indicate two links that are connected near opposite ends of a cross bar 11, such cross bar, in the construction shown, being provided with eyes 16 in its under surface to which hooked upper ends oit the linlrs l5 engage. The lower end of each of the links 15 is formed with an eye 17, such eyes being in engagement with opposite sides of a head `18, through an opening in the center of which freely passes a rod 19 that is screwthreaded upon its upper end, and at its lower end isformed with a hook 20. This hook 2O is adapted to engage over a rod or bar 91, the ends of which are placed under those parts of the ledge a of the adjacent seat that run lengthwise of such seat, as clearly shown in in Fig. l. A wing nut 22 is shown as screwed upon the rod 19 and against the upper face of the head 18. lt will be evident that upon such nut being screwed down tightly, it will cause a downward pull to be exerted upon the links 15, and thereby hold the legs 10 in hrm contact with the opposite portions of the seat ledge. l prefer to slightly under cut the edge of each leg as at 28, as thereby the leg `is more apt to be irmly seated against the ledge than if such edge of the leg were perfectly straight. lt will be understood that each supporting member comprising the legs 10 and cross bar 11 willbe constructed and set up into position in the manner described. These two supporting` members rise to a height a little above the back a2 of the front seat so as to permit a mattress-supporting` member to rest upon the two supports, and at the same time extend over such front'seatback, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The mattress-supporting member referred to is, inthe construction shown, formed of a plurality of slats 24% vplaced parallel to each other and a littleV distance apart, the various slats beingconnected one with -the other by hinges 25, `these hinges being alternately on the'upper and lower faces of the slats, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, whereby when not in use the several slats can be folded @Ile upon another in the manner shown in Fig. 5, so that a compact bundle of connected slats is formed suitable for storage or for transportation on one of the running boards of the automobile. i slats that go t( mal-e up the support for a mattress or bed might be hinged together in the manner described, l prefer to forni them in two sections, eacl comprising one-half of the total number of slats. Such a section is shown in Fig. lrlalzing the device in two such parts of advantage trom several standpoints, viz, it is easier handled when in two sections; it can be better adapted to different widths of autoincbiles so to occupy all the space from side. to side thereof because the Vtwo sections can be separated from each other as desired without impairing its efliciencj,Y even though a little greater space be left between such sections than is present between the several slats of each section; and also such division of the two sections enables a single clamping cle""'ce at each end of the bed to used that w ll hold the inf er edges of both sections firmly clamped to the end cross bar 11. ln llig. 3 l have shown this clamping device, which comprises a bolt 26 that passes through an opening in one of the cross bars 11, thel upper end of such bolt lying in a space between the inner slats of the two sections referred to. This space between the two sections is bridged by a plate 27 through which. the bolt also passes, and against the upper face of which its head bears. On the lower screw-threaded end of such bolt is a el Si `wing nut 28, and it will be evident that by tions oli' the mattress holding member up-v turned so as 'to form side walls, and in the .construction shown l do this by turning up two ofthe hinged slats at the outer side of cach mattress supportingsection, and pro viding means that rigidly hold such two slats in that position. Such means comgrises a cross-0211029 which extends transversely of the mattress-supperting member substantially midway between the ends thereof, and some little distance below it. as best shown' in' Fig. 2.' .r4-*rt each end of this crossbar metal rod which for the greater part of its length is preferably flattened so as to lie snugly alongside of the outer faces of the upturned slats, and at its upper end is provided with a hook 81 of a and shape to engage over the upper edge of the upper one of said two slats. rllhe lower portion of the rod 30, in the construction shown, is cylindrical, as indicated at 32, such end lying within one of a number lVhile, of course` all of the vimposed thereon, as hereinafter explained, l

provide a clamping member in the 'torni of a short metal strap that lies against the inner face ot the lowermost upturned slatand has ends inwardly turned 'toward the bar 80, the upper inwardly turned end lying;

v upon the upper edge ot said lowermost slat.

rllhe clamping; 'member is adapted to be solidlv clami ed ae'ainst such lowermost sla-t u and to the rod 30 by sans ota nut 36 and a bolt 37 that )asses throuo'h the two niem- Vbers and 30,' as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

l have called attention to the -tact that the cross-bar 29 is at some little distance belowthe mattress-supporting` member. l so rarrange it so that the slats of such member, except the upturnedones, may yield under the weight oit the occupants ot the bed, but `to prevent undue yielding the cross-bar 29 will be so located asto have the slats come in contact with it when a very heavy person or persons occupy the bed, and by such contact the breaking' of the slats will be prevented. By having the marginal slats upturned as shown a very rigid construction is provided from which to support the transverse cross-bar 29. As will be understood, the cross-bar can be vertically adjusted as may be required by manipulation of the nuts 34. l have also called attention to the fact that the mattress holding,` member is formed in two sections which can be adjusted closer to or farther from each other as may be desired, and it is because of that possibility of adjustment that l provide more than one hole 33 at each end of the cross-bar 29, as will be understood.

`When the bed is not in use it can be readily disassembled, kand the parts folded up in compact torni for carrying in any suitable receptacles that can be secured to a running board ot the machine.v To take down the bed the mattress will first be disengaged from the supporting trames at the ends and from the transverse cross-bar 29 by unscrewing` the several nuts that have been referred to as holding these parts connected,

and the two slatted sections then each folded up into the position indicated by one of them in Fig. 5. Thereafter the nuts 22 will be loosened sufficiently to permit the disen- 2@agement of the short cross-bars or rods that engage the ledges of the front and back seats, and the diagonal rods will be unhooked from the eyes 16, rl`he two legs l0 of each end'inember will then be turned against their respective cross-bars 1l, the

inner faces of such legs being preferably cut away or provided with holes, as shown,

the points `where they the eyes, hinge niembe etc.7 that earried` by the said eros bars ll.

By my improvements l provide a construction that can be readilyr and easily se: up in place in any ordinary nre will come opposite or seven passenger automobile without` distui-hingl any1 ot the iittinps or parts ot such machine other than the seat cus1 ns, and when so set up will be if'ery firmly and securely held in place, and will proviue tortable bed ot' sui'iioient width and stre to easily accommodate ait least two adult persons.

What I claim as my invention a id desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

l. A bed structure tor use 'with an automobile haring liront and rear seats, said structure comprising in combination two supporting` 'trames adapted to be supported rom opposite end portions oli said, seats respectively, means extending 'troni the upper part of each oit said trames toward the adjacent seat, other means tor detachably connectinrg` said last-named means with said seat, and a mattress-supporting' member carried by said frames.

2. A bed structure for use with an automobile having front and rear seats, said structure comprising in combination two supporting `trames adapted to be supported from opposite end portions ot said seats respectively, each ot said frames being termed of two legs and a cross-bar connecting' the upper ends ot the legs. tension means adapted to be connected with each seat and the cross-bar ot' the traine supported thereby for exerting a downward pull on the vframe to hold it firmly in place, and a mattress-supporting member carried by said trames.

3. A bed structure for use with an automobile having front and rear seats, said structure comprising in combination two supporting frames adapted to be supported from opposite end portions of said seats respectively, each of said trames being` `:t'ormed of two leg-s and a cross-bar connecting the upper ends of the legs, tension means connectingopposite end portions of each frame cross-bar with an intermediate portion of that seat that supports the trame whereby the said legs be forced tightly against and held to such seat, and a mattresssupport carried by said trames 4. A bed structure tor use with an auto mobile having trontand rear seats, said struct-ure comprising` in combination two supporting trames adapted to be supported trom opposite end portions of said sea-ts respectively, each ot said trames ybeing` formed of two legs and a cross-bar connecting' the upper endsof the legs, two linlrs connected with opposite end portions of each frame cross-bar, and means adapted to be connected with the seat that the trame rests upon for `he pressed forcibly exerting e, dow ard pull on said links to 'force the legs et the reinetightly against and held to such seat7 and a nmttiess-snp port carried bv said frames.

A lied structure for use with an fiutomohile having front and rear seats, seid struetiu'e comprising in combination two supporting; iframes adapted to he supported from opposite end portions off suidiseets respectively, each et seid :trames being; formed of two legs and n cross-har connecting the upper ends of the Tivo downwstrdlji7 comiergiingl links connected with opposite end portions oli each "1 "ne cross-haii, 9. heed to which the lewe' ends of such links are connected, means or fore-ing seid heed toward the adjacent seat to canse the legs to i1-inst and held to4 the seat, and a.. mattress-support Carried hy said frames. v

6. A bed structure for use with an entomoloile having; liront and rear seats each provided with inwMilly-directed marginal ledges, said hed structure comprising in combination two snppoitinp,4 frames adopted to be supported from opposite end portions of said seats respectively, each of said frames being formed of two legs and e eross'bar connecting the upper ends of the legs, e rod adapted to extend aerosseaeh seat beneath the said ledges thereof, tension ineens `interposed between eaeh lof said rods and the cross-bar of the adjacent supporting frame, and ci` mattress-support Carried by said frames. Y y

7. A bed. structure for `use with an' automobile having front and rear seats each provided with inwardly-directed marginal ledges, said bed structure comprising in eomloination two supporting frames adapted to he supported from opposite end portions ,of said seats respectively, each of said frames being formed of two legs and cross-her connecting' the upper ends of the legs, e I`rod adapted to entend across each seat loeneath the seid ledges thereof, tension means interposed between eaeh of seid vrods and the cross-bar of the adjacent supporting frame, and .a inettress-support lcarried by'said frames, each ot' said' tension means comprising a screw-threaded rod detaehehly connected with said first-mentioned rod and two links connectedy with said screw threaded rod endwith such cross-loer.

JET WIMP. 

